In order to secure our FHA loan, we opted for a strategy known as "cash for keys," where we incentivized one set of tenants to vacate.

My Idea is to start with fix and flips to make some “quick” profits and then use that profit to get into more long-term, cash flowing investments.   

Cash flow is profit. 

Passive income is something talked about, but the majority of real estate investing is far from passive and what is called passive has payments for the passivity (management).Your why is strong, to provide generational wealth for your family and likely achieve time freedom long-term, that's awesome.

I hear Toledo is great for cash, flow, not sure about appreciation.

If the seller will entertain it you write it into your offer - what you're willing to pay total, loan term, interest rate, down payment. 

I can definitely tell you there's still a lot of positive cash flowing and 1% rule deals and you get amazing appreciation.

These properties were not distressed quite the opposite.. but they had 100k to 3 to 5 million of standing Timber on them that if we could purchase our Timber deed we could turn those trees to cash within 90 days..PS I had created a hand made custom data base of properties  10 acres or more not corporately owned that Aerial Photogramy show Standing Timber of an Age we deemed Merchantable. 

Purchase price: $390,000 Cash invested: $40,000 A rare off market twin in Bala Cynwyd!

This is a situation where the cash buyer with no contingencies is going to have way more power.